How to Make a Storage Bench From Fence Pickets

Lay the fence pickets out on a work surface. Brush the surface of the pickets with a wire brush in the same direction as the wood grain to remove any loose paint or debris. Sand the surface lightly with a fine-grit sanding block to remove any remaining inconsistencies in the finish while leaving the existing finish on the pickets for an eclectic appearance.

Measure the pickets from the bottom end and mark 12 pickets at 36 inches and 36 pickets at 18 inches using a tape measure and pencil.

Place one picket at a time on the table of a miter saw. Cut each to the marked length with the miter saw.

Position the 12, 36-inch pickets on a work surface and separate the pickets into two groups. Place the pickets in each group side-by-side so that the ends are even. These two groups form the storage bench lid and storage bench bottom. Separate the 18-inch pickets into two groups of 12 and two groups of six in the same manner as you did with the 36-inch pickets. These groupings form the sides and ends respectively.

Apply wood glue to the adjoining edges of the pickets in each grouping and press them together. Clamp each grouping with wood clamps. Allow the wood glue to dry for 24 hours and remove the clamps.

Cut the ends of the 18 and 36-inch 2-by-2-inch boards at a 45-degree angle on the same side so that they fit together like a picture frame to form two 18-by-36-inch rectangular assemblies using a miter saw.

Assemble the mitered boards to form two 18-by-36-inch rectangular assemblies. Drive two wood screws through each joint in the assemblies using a screw gun.

Lay one rectangular assembly flat on a work surface. Position one 2-by-2-by-14-inch board upright in each corner of the assembly with the 2-by-2-inch end resting flat. Lay the remaining rectangular assembly flat on top of the other 2-by-2-inch ends of the boards. Drive two wood screws through each joint on each end of the 2-by-2-by-14-inch boards with a screw gun to fasten the rectangular bench assembly together.

Place one 18-by-36-inch picket assembly over the top of the assembly. Make sure that all of the edges are flush with the edges of the assembly. Hammer square head nails through the picket assembly into the bench assembly every 2 to 4 inches. Repeat this process for the side and end picket assemblies. Turn the bench assembly upright.

Align the lid picket assembly over the top opening of the bench. Center the piano hinge along the back edge of the bench and lid. Fasten the hinge to the bench and lid assemblies using the screws that came with the hinge and a screw gun.

Apply two even coats of shellac to the storage bench using a natural bristle brush. Allow the first coat to dry for 24 hours and apply a second coat. Wait 48 hours before using the bench.